FBC – Chapter 225 The Prince’s Manor Seizes a Man

Shen Li and Physician Shen spent nearly an hour treating the wounds of the four generals.

“Can you speak?”

“Barely.”

Gu Hua entered the room with Zhao Luoxuan and saw that General Fang and the others were almost completely wrapped in bandages.

When General Fang saw her, he struggled to open his mouth. “Madam.”

Gu Hua quickly stepped forward, speaking softly. “Please, speak slowly.”

Zhao Luoxuan couldn’t restrain herself and rushed over, asking, “Where’s Qi Jun? Where did he go?”

“He was taken… by Jiang Duo.”

It really was Jiang Duo!

Gu Hua knew General Fang and the others couldn’t know much more. She calmed Zhao Luoxuan, who still wanted to ask questions, when suddenly footsteps approached outside.

Looking back, it was Chi Yu.

She pulled Zhao Luoxuan out of the room so as not to agitate the generals.

“Did you find him?”

Chi Yu nodded. “He’s inside Prince Ping’an’s Manor, locked in a courtyard in the western wing. Guarded heavily, more than ten men. It’s broad daylight—not easy to make a move.”

Hearing this, Zhao Luoxuan turned and bolted out.

“Princess!” Gu Hua tried to stand quickly, but a sudden sharp pain tore through her lower abdomen. Her face went pale, and she froze in fear.

Shen Li rushed to steady her, took her pulse, and furrowed his brows in alarm. “You must not get worked up again! Do you not want this child anymore?”

Hearing this, Zhou Zhilan immediately ordered Dong Hua and the others to help Gu Hua back to her quarters. “You needn’t worry about anything else. We’ll discuss how to save him.”

“Yes! He must be saved!”

Gu Hua didn’t argue.

No matter the cost, Qi Jun had to be rescued!

Otherwise, she would have no face to meet Mu Junyan.

Zhao Luoxuan rushed into the palace to find her second imperial brother, Zhao Yuxuan. Sixth Prince Zhao Yuwen happened to be there as well.

The moment she saw them, she burst into tears. “Second Brother, Sixth Brother!”

Zhao Yuwen quickly asked, “What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Weren’t you with Madam Mu to fetch the men? Did something happen to them?”

Every time Mu Junyan returned to the capital, Zhao Yuwen turned into his shadow. He already knew about the generals being imprisoned and had come to consult Second Brother on how to help.

“No rush, speak slowly.”

Zhao Yuxuan ordered someone to bring Zhao Luoxuan a cup of hot tea to calm her.

But Zhao Luoxuan pushed it aside, wiping her tears. “I must save Qi Jun! The others have already been released, but that dog Jiang Duo seized Qi Jun and dragged him into Prince Ping’an’s Manor.”

Zhao Yuxuan frowned. “Father already decreed their release. What right does he have to detain someone privately?”

Zhao Yuwen chimed in, “Exactly! To defy an imperial order outright—this Jiang family is growing more arrogant by the day!”

With her two brothers backing her, Zhao Luoxuan finally felt supported. She grabbed the Second Prince’s hand. “Brother, you command the Imperial Guards and Infantry Division. Give me some troops. I’ll march to Prince Ping’an’s Manor and demand him back.”

Zhao Yuxuan shook his head. “No, I cannot mobilize troops on my own.”

“Second Brother!”

Zhao Luoxuan stomped her foot in anger. “Don’t you want control over the Mu family army? This is the best chance you’ll ever get! Qi Jun is Duke Yong’s most trusted lieutenant, one of the finest among the younger generation of generals. If we save him, he’ll surely submit to you. Wouldn’t that be the perfect support for you to secure the position of Crown Prince?”

Zhao Yuwen nodded eagerly. “She’s right! This is a great opportunity.”

Zhao Yuxuan looked at them both in exasperation. “You’re too naïve! Mobilizing troops without imperial order is a grave crime. If someone seizes the chance to impeach us, Father will hold us accountable. Even Mother couldn’t shield us.”

Zhao Yuwen blinked. “Second Brother does make sense…”

Zhao Luoxuan was furious. “Coward! No wonder Father refuses to make you Crown Prince despite you being the legitimate heir. With this soft and spineless nature, how could you ever lead Great Liang?”

Grinding her teeth, she snapped, “Fine, if you won’t help, I’ll go myself!”

Snatching the sword from the wall, she dashed out.

Zhao Yuwen chased after her. “Hey, hey, hey! Sister, I’ve got guards. Let’s take them!”

“You can’t go!” Zhao Yuxuan shouted anxiously after them, but they had already disappeared.

“Quick, summon Mother!” Zhao Yuxuan hurried into the inner palace.

Zhao Luoxuan and Zhao Yuwen led nearly a hundred Imperial Guards to surround Prince Ping’an’s Manor.

The manor guards were shocked to see a princess and prince storming in with soldiers.

Someone rushed inside to report while those at the gates scrambled to block them.

Soon, the head guard came out. Having seen the world, he remained calm and bowed. “Sixth Princess, Sixth Prince, may I ask what brings Your Highnesses here?”

Zhao Luoxuan raised her sword to his throat. The head guard noticed her trembling grip and smiled faintly. “Even as a princess, leading troops to besiege Prince Ping’an’s Manor is not permissible.”

Zhao Luoxuan’s voice was icy. “Order Jiang Duo to release General Qi, or don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

The guard’s expression stiffened. “What General Qi? I know of no such person.”

Zhao Luoxuan slashed her sword. The guard felt a chill on his neck, then saw his hand come away bloody. His face turned ashen.

The other guards hurried to surround them.

Zhao Luoxuan’s eyes burned red, fury blazing.

“Everything falls on me! Guards—whoever dares block me, kill them!”

The Imperial Guards drew their swords in unison, shouting as they charged forward with Zhao Luoxuan and Zhao Yuwen.

Jiang Duo emerged with his men, sword in hand.

“Sixth Princess, Sixth Prince, what is the meaning of this?”

Zhao Luoxuan swung her sword and screamed, “Jiang Duo, you bastard! Hand over Qi Jun now!”

Jiang Duo sneered. “General Qi is suspected of treason. I am investigating under His Majesty’s orders. And you wish to rescue him? Do you know that breaking a prisoner free is a capital crime? Law applies equally to commoners and royals. As prince and princess, you’ve brought troops to attack Prince Ping’an’s Manor. I shall report this to His Majesty and see what punishment you deserve!”

Zhao Yuwen laughed coldly. “Father ordered Zuoban Commander to release the Mu family generals and send them to Duke Yong’s residence to recover. Yet you defied the imperial decree and abducted General Qi. Tell me, Jiang Duo, are you planning a rebellion?”

Jiang Duo’s face darkened.

He hadn’t known about the Zuoban Commander’s order. He had only heard from an informant in the Empress’s palace that Zhao Luoxuan favored Qi Jun and had begged for marriage. Jiang Duo thought it a golden opportunity. He quickly discussed with his brother and father, deciding on a scheme.

Before Duke Yong’s household could rescue anyone, he seized Qi Jun first.

If Qi Jun signed a confession accusing Mu Junyan of treason, they could round up all disobedient Mu generals, leaving only those willing to obey. With that, the Jiang family could easily control the Mu army.

Whoever held sway over the Mu army would gain the Emperor’s favor and military authority.

At the same time, by exploiting Princess Shuhe’s connection to Qi Jun, they could drag down both the Empress and the Second Prince.

Jiang Duo’s eyes glinted.

Now, with Zhao Luoxuan and Zhao Yuwen barging in, wasn’t this even better?

He smirked. “Yes, I brought Qi Jun back for questioning. But I’ve seen no imperial edict. Ignorance is no crime, is it?”

Zhao Luoxuan lifted her sword, forcing back her tears, and said coldly, “If you don’t hand him over right now, I’ll kill my way in!”

Her fearless determination made Jiang Duo hesitate for a moment.

Zhao Yuwen looked at his sister in admiration. Straightening his back, he pointed his sword. “Jiang Duo, conspiring against a court official is a capital crime. Think carefully before you act.”

Zhao Luoxuan couldn’t wait any longer. She shouted, “Charge!”

“Kill! Kill! Kill!”

The Imperial Guards raised their swords, their battle cries shaking the air as they surged forward.

Jiang Duo roared in fury. What nonsense—princess and prince daring to storm Prince Ping’an’s Manor? Did they think nothing of the Jiang family?

He swung his sword and barked, “Any who dare intrude into the Jiang residence, kill without mercy! Kill—”

But before he could finish, a black shadow flashed before him.

A hand clamped tightly around his throat, crushing him backward with overwhelming force.

Bang!

He was slammed hard against the crimson iron-studded gates, gasping for breath as his neck was squeezed mercilessly.

Zhao Luoxuan recognized the figure—it was Chi Yu.

Chi Yu commanded, “Take the Princess inside to find him.”

A black-clad guard bowed to Zhao Luoxuan and Zhao Yuwen. “Please, follow me.”

At once, the battle erupted fiercely. Originally, the Imperial Guards and Prince Ping’an’s guards were evenly matched. But with the sudden appearance of these black-clad warriors—each exuding the killing aura of battle-hardened veterans—the tide turned instantly.

With ruthless precision, they cut down the defenders. The manor guards fell in droves.

Meanwhile, several of the black-clad warriors shielded Zhao Luoxuan and Zhao Yuwen as they charged straight toward the western courtyard where Qi Jun was being held.